Confronting
split-off, repressed material is still an important part of many psychodynamic
therapies. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, cure conversion symptoms and,
generally, have a beneficial and therapeutic effect on the individual. Yet,
this has nothing to do with integration. It has to do with conflict resolution.
That
various parts of the personality are in constant conflict is an integral
principle of all psychodynamic theories. Dredging split-off material to our
consciousness reduces the scope or the intensity of these conflicts. This is so
by definition: split-off material introduced to consciousness is no longer
split-off material and, therefore, can no longer participate in the
"war" raging in the unconscious.
But is it
always recommended? Not in my view.
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